Valley Girl Blu-ray Review

Shout Factory's 4K remaster of Valley Girl on Blu-ray exhibits a radiant resurgence of this 1983 classic, far surpassing the previous DVD presentation. The transfer, sourced from a 4K scan of the original negative and presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, produces rich, vibrant colors that encapsulate the film’s iconic, 80s aesthetic. Details stand out distinctly, with precise delineation visible even in Nic Cage’s facial lines and makeup applications, elements unseen in earlier versions. Although some grain spikes are noticeable in darker scenes, the texture remains appealing and never distracts from viewing. Blacks are deep and inky, maintaining detail in shadows, while skin tones stay consistent and lifelike throughout the film.

The meticulous attention to detail in this MPEG-4 AVC-encoded BD-50 transfer ensures a natural cinematic appearance. The grain structure remains balanced with no trailing or stability issues. Color reproduction shines with high saturation levels complemented by a natural tint that avoids any excessive vividness or color bleeding. This balance provides an impressive depth and three-dimensionality to scenes, such as the strikingly realistic couch conversation between Julie and her father. Minor imperfections persist, with some visible dirt during the main titles and occasional infinitesimal white dots. However, these are minuscule against the overall excellence of the restoration. Encoding at an average bitrate of 31999 kbps, this Blu-ray debut effectively conveys the nuanced visual beauty of Valley Girl, delivering its best on-screen look to date.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray release of "Valley Girl" offers a commendable experience, though it exhibits some inherent limitations characteristic of early 80s lower-budgeted films. Shout Factory has created a new DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround remix (3050 kbps, 24-bit) while also including a DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono track (1598 kbps, 24-bit) from the original monaural. The remix does a worthy job of distributing the 1980s bubblegum pop-rock score through all channels, albeit with a noticeable front-heavy orientation. Character dialogue primarily emerges from the center speaker and remains comprehensible despite being generally on the lower end of the dynamic range.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is immersive yet subtly subdued compared to conventional default settings. The surround sound presentation works to fill out the room, especially during musical sequences featuring bands such as The Plimsouls and Modern English. However, rear channel utilization is somewhat limited, mostly contributing to ambient reinforcement rather than substantive directional cues. The low-frequency extension proves adequate, providing sufficient bass for the diegetic and non-diegetic songs, though some may find it lacking in impact during action sequences or scuffles. The occasional strain and harshness on higher frequencies during loud dialogue or yelling are minor but perceptible shortcomings.

In terms of dynamic range and fidelity, "Valley Girl" features clear and crisp vocal reproduction throughout. There is a slight initial need to adjust the volume up from your usual settings due to its quieter mix. Despite this, vocal continuity remains robust without overshadowing the instrumental backdrop provided by Marc Levinthal and Scott Wilk's underscore. Optional English SDH subtitles ensure accessibility, making the auditory presentation both pleasant and technically sound for viewers, even if not overwhelmingly so.

The Blu-ray release of "Valley Girl" offers an extensive array of supplemental materials, combining fresh content and vintage features for an immersive experience into the cherished '80s classic. The new contributions include a round-table discussion with director Martha Coolidge and actors E.G. Daily and Heidi Holicker, providing insightful anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories in "Valley Girl in Conversation." The disc also features a historical look at the San Fernando Valley, as well as personal memorabilia shared by Holicker. Previous extras from the MGM releases are also present, like the 1999 audio commentary by Coolidge. The collection preserves the original theatrical release's music and provides a rich assortment of interviews from the 2003 edition with cast members, musicians, producers, and writers, ensuring extensive coverage on various aspects of the film's creation and legacy.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Martha Coolidge provides insights.
• Valley Girl in Conversation: Round-table discussion with Martha Coolidge and actors.
• Greetings from the San Fernando Valley: A short history hosted by Tommy Gelinas.
• Show and Tell: Heidi Holicker shares her memorabilia.
• Storyboard-to-Film Comparisons: Analytical comparison with an introduction by Coolidge.
• In Conversation: Martha Coolidge and Nicolas Cage: Archival interview featuring Cage.
• 20 Totally Tubular Years Later: Retrospective featurette from the DVD edition.
• The Music of Valley Girl: Discussion on the soundtrack.
• The Girls: Full interview segments with female cast members.
• The Boys: Full interview segments with male cast members.
• The Parents: Full interview segments with parental figures.
• The Bands: Full interview segments with musical contributors.
• The Producers-Writers: Full interview segments with producers and writers.
• Music Videos: Featuring tracks "I Melt With You" and "Million Miles Away."
• Trailer: Original movie trailer.

Valley Girl, Martha Coolidge's engaging take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, finds its charm in the unabashed embrace of 1980s pop culture and valley girl clichés. The film stars a young Deborah Foreman as Julie Richman, a vivacious San Fernando Valley girl torn between her superficial, upper-middle-class world and the edgy allure of Hollywood punk Randy, played by a burgeoning Nicolas Cage. The narrative hooks you from the get-go with its authentic rendering of valley speak and the social dynamics of the time. Despite some pacing issues and edits that could have been better aligned with the emotional beats, the film succeeds in capturing the zeitgeist of an era gone by.

Coolidge and her writers employ a quasi-ethnographic style to showcase the materialistic yet lively world of Valley girls, relentlessly echoed through lingo like "totally tubular" and "grody to the max." While Julie's character arc feels somewhat clichéd, her moments of introspection offer glimpses of depth, particularly in scenes with her father that add layers to her otherwise stereotypically vapid persona. Cage’s Randy is a standout, an unpolished gem pushing against his eventual persona of Hollywood's wild card, while Michael Bowen’s portrayal of Tommy is viscerally dislikable, enhancing the movie’s romantic stakes.

Valley Girl benefits from strong supporting performances, particularly from Elizabeth Daily, whose charisma nearly steals the show. The film is elevated by its soundtrack comprising New Wave rock hits that cement its place alongside classics like The Last American Virgin and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Despite minor shortcomings in narrative pacing and some underdeveloped subplots, Valley Girl remains a bubbly, fun ride that serves as a time capsule of 80s culture, effortlessly blending humor and romance.

"Valley Girl" is a quintessential time capsule of 1980s teen life in San Fernando Valley, blending bubblegum rock, valley girl clichés, and an evocative pop-rock score that captures the era's spirit. The film benefits from the genuine chemistry between its leads, Nicolas Cage and Deborah Foreman, thanks to their real-life relationship during filming. Director Martha Coolidge's personal experiences with teenage romance further enrich the movie’s authenticity. Though the plot may seem tame compared to other teen comedies like "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," it stands on its own with unique charm and nostalgic appeal.

Shout Factory’s Blu-ray release of "Valley Girl" impresses with a splendid 1.85:1 AVC transfer and an excellently balanced English DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track, preserving the film's visual and auditory essence. The high-definition remaster is a welcome improvement over previous releases. The supplementary features are robust and engaging, featuring insightful conversations with Coolidge and her stars, aside from Deborah Foreman, offering rich context and behind-the-scenes revelations. These extras elevate this release above the standard fare and provide a comprehensive retrospective experience for aficionados.

In conclusion, "Valley Girl" remains a compelling and quirky teen romantic comedy that encapsulates a charming slice of the 80s. Shout Factory’s Blu-ray release does it justice with outstanding technical specifications and an abundance of bonus materials. This edition is a must-have for fans of the genre, Nicolas Cage enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates the nostalgic allure of early 80s cinema. Highly recommended.